Your vote can make a difference

Tomorrow is Pennsylvania’s primary election. The Realtor® party can impact the election by taking time to vote.

The vast majority of Realtors® understand the importance of voting – it gives us a chance to have a voice in the decisions that are made in our communities and the Commonwealth. I know often times, voter turnout is low during a non-presidential election.

Along with the opportunity to cast a vote for a gubernatorial nominee, there are several local and state elections across the commonwealth. In the General Assembly, there are 20 incumbent state lawmakers retiring, eight new or merged legislative districts due to legislative redistricting and 37 legislators who have a primary election challenger. There are also races for governor, lieutenant governor, and United States Congress. The Pennsylvania Department of State has polling information and a list of candidates at votespa.com.

As Realtors® it is important to back candidates who support private property rights and the real estate industry. Based on candidate interviews and recommendations from the local associations, the Trustees of the PAR Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC) are supporting several Pennsylvania candidates running for open legislative seats or incumbent candidates with primary election challengers. You can see a list of those candidates at PARealtorPAC.org, using the same log in information as PARealtor.org.

In addition, as of May 2013, the state approved revised legislative district maps, which change many elections. New legislative district maps are available online.

Making the Realtor® voice heard helps elect candidates who ensure that private property rights continue to be protected. Many decisions that affect the real estate industry and transactions are made at the local and state levels. That’s why it’s so crucial to vote in tomorrow’s primary election.